Swype BETA for Android UPDATE - March 2011

March 2011 - Maintenance Update for Swype BETA for Android

We're happy to bring you version 2.29.71.20084 of Swype BETA for Android. This release is intended to address some outstanding issues, provide additional screen-size and language support, and bring the code-base up to date with the latest developments here at Swype HQ. Read on for details, or you can skip directly to the complete changelog.

2 major changes requested by users - In response to the outpouring of community feedback we've received, we've resolved two critical issues that have been creating a bad user experience. First, the hidden word tip window has been all but completely removed. It will appear one time, and one time only, for the first hidden word you encounter after a new installation. After that, it's a historic event! Second, contact names that are automatically added to the user dictionary will now stay deleted instead of being re-added accidentally. Refer to the changelog for more detail on these critical fixes.

Additional resolution and language support - We've significantly expanded the beta's support for various devices and languages. This update sees the addition of QVGA, WQVGA, WSVGA, and qHD support and the inclusion of dictionaries for Dutch, UK English, and Russian. Users should be aware that not all screen-resolutions include support for all languages. For a detailed list of which resolutions support which languages, please refer to our table of supported language and resolutions.

Prediction accuracy will no longer degrade significantly over time - In response to user feedback, we dove into our prediction algorithm looking for what might be causing prediction accuracy to drop drastically as Swype was used over the long term. We identified the issue and have implemented a fix. Please let us know if you continue to experience reduced prediction accuracy over time.

Due to incompatibilities with new features added to Android 2.3.3, we have disabled double-tap-to-edit IN ANDROID 2.3.3 ONLY. This ONLY effects Android version 2.3.3

We fixed one of our gestures that you've all been asking for but didn't work quite right: To hide the keyboard you can trace a path from the SWYPE key to the BACKSPACE key.

The installer includes a new option when it detects Swype is already installed: Generate License. This option can be used to force Swype to delete and re-create the license file. This should make fixing license issues a lot easier for our users.

Some changes to the license have significantly decreased the likelihood that updating your system software will require a new license for Swype. Major changes (such as switching between ROM flavors, e.g. going from CyanogenMod to SenseUI-based ROMs) will still require a new license, but simply updating your existing ROM should no longer disable Swype.

Enjoy the update and make sure to leave your feedback here on the forums!

Gingerbread will no longer erroneously display a network failure error when it should be showing either a username/password or account activation error

New "Generate License" option in the installer to re-license Swype Beta at any time

Installer now recognizes WiMAX as a valid data connection

ALL BUILDS - SWYPE BETA v2.29.71.20203/20186

Announcing BETA support for the following resolutions: qHD, QVGA, WQVGA, WSVGA

Added Dutch, Russian and UK English support [NOTE: Not all devices support all languages. For a table of which screen-sizes support which languages, please click here.]

The Hidden Word Tip window will only appear once, the first time you encounter a hidden word after a new installation. It will never appear again after that.

Contacts, etc, that are automatically added to the user dictionary will now stay deleted when removed by the user

Fixed the gesture to hide the keyboard: Swype from the SWYPE key to the DELETE key

The capitalization gesture will no longer accidentally capitalize the second letter of a word when the trace path goes through that key before exiting the top of the keyboard

Add compression of large languages for Android builds to reduce filesize

Identified and resolved an issue that was causing cumulative loss in recognition accuracy over time

Faster trace path animations

Improved application performance in portrait view

Improved the efficiency of the contact list scanner

Swype key in Spanish now properly brings up Word Choice Window

Fixed a bug with word priorities so words in user dictionary do not always appear first in word choice window

Fixed a bug that prevented the auto-space suppression icon from appearing in some cases

Period and Comma now function properly when tapped in SYM layer

Improved recognition of words when using the capitalization gesture and the second letter is very close the exit-point of the capitalization gesture, e.g. "Well"

Fixed a rare crash when returning from the Language Selector in Settings

Launching voice recognition now draws a UI inside the Swype process instead of launching a new activity

When Android 2.3.3 is detected, double-tap-to-edit is disabled to prevent conflict with Google's double-tap behavior

Decreased the likelihood that a new license will be required after a system update

Fixed a bug where a failure of the system to properly return build properties was crashing Swype

Minor compatibility updates for Android 2.3

Fixed various crashes

INSTALLER v.1.1.15759 (11.1)

Added support for selecting different versions to download

MICRO BUILD - SWYPE BETA v2.17.59.15552

English/Spanish only, to keep filesize down.

STANDARD BUILD - SWYPE BETA v2.15.56.14870

No changes

INSTALLER v.1.1.15121

Revised installer workflow. Users can now enable Swype and select it as the default input method from within the Swype installer.

The installer now includes a repair feature. If a previous installation failed, or if the existing Swype BETA installation is broken (missing/corrupt license, etc), the installer will attempt to resume the installation process and repair any broken elements.

Clarified error messages to give a more accurate description of the specific problem encountered.

Added links to the tutorial and tips-and-tricks videos to the end of the installation.

SWYPE BETA v2.15.56.14870

Added support for new installer features, such as version checking and installation repair.

Merged the most recent changes from trunk (mostly device-specific bugfixes)

INSTALLER v.1.1.14002

Converted installer from "application" to "service", preventing the premature death of the installer in low-memory situations

Added update notification. Users will be notified when launching the installer if a new version is available.

Added notification to inform users if Swype is already installed at app launch, instead of halfway through the process.

Added support for landscape screen orientation

SWYPE BETA v2.10.52.13753

Resolved an accuracy issue that was introduced in the last Beta update. New software features supporting additional languages were included in the beta before the test plan for those features was complete (it is a beta after all). Subsequent testing identified the accuracy issue and corrections made. These new tests have been incorporated into our regression testing to prevent future accuracy issues.